The United Kingdom has been plunged into a deep freeze, with an Arctic blast delivering widespread snowfall and temperatures as low as -12.5C. The extreme winter weather, which struck on Tuesday, 6th January 2026, has triggered significant disruption, including widespread school closures and travel chaos across the nation.
Record Low Temperatures and Widespread Disruption
The mercury plummeted overnight, with Marham in Norfolk recording a bone-chilling -12.5C, the coldest night of the winter so far. Other areas, including Santam Downham in Suffolk and Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, also experienced severe lows of around -10C. The freezing conditions led to hundreds of schools closing their doors across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Travel networks have been severely impacted. National Rail issued warnings of cancellations and major disruptions to train services, particularly in Scotland where snowdrifts caused significant problems. Road users also faced hazardous conditions, with diggers deployed to clear routes, such as near Gartly in Scotland.
Met Office Issues Stringent Weather Warnings
The Met Office has been active in alerting the public to the dangers. An amber weather warning for snow was in place for parts of Scotland and the Highlands from 11am to 7pm on Tuesday, urging residents to travel only when absolutely necessary. The forecaster warned of a spell of heavy snow moving east across central and northern Scotland, bringing a further 5-10cm of snow widely, and up to 15cm in some places, especially above 200 metres.
Furthermore, yellow weather warnings for snow and ice remain in force across much of the country, with additional alerts issued for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, indicating the wintry conditions are set to persist.
Further Snow Forecast and Public Advice
According to weather mapping data from WXCHARTS, the snowfall was expected to move south throughout Tuesday, potentially affecting cities including Newcastle, Blackpool, Swansea, Bristol, Norwich, London, and Southampton.
Matthew Lehnert, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, provided a stark outlook: "The UK will continue to experience a range of winter weather hazards through this week, with low temperatures as well as snow showers and the risk of ice for many." He emphasised the importance of staying updated with the latest forecasts as warnings are likely to be adjusted.
Across the UK, the public adapted to the challenging conditions. From dog walkers braving the snow in Glossop and County Wicklow to ice skaters on Inverleith Pond in Edinburgh, the scenes were simultaneously picturesque and disruptive. The cold was so intense that canals, including the Basingstoke Canal and London's Regent's Canal, froze over.
As Britain contends with this severe Arctic blast, authorities continue to urge caution, advising people to prepare for ongoing travel issues, further school disruptions, and the continued risk posed by ice and snow.
